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The first volume to address both self-help and support groups, and to provide a clear distinction between the two, Self-Help and Support Groups dispels misunderstandings and inaccurate assumptions about how they function, whom they attract and how they help participants achieve goals.
Linda Farris Kurtz informs practitioners and students in the human services about the concepts, theories and research relevant to self-help and support groups. She provides practical advice and direction for working with these groups while analyzing self-help/support organizations on three different levels in terms of: the groups themselves; the group members; and the practitioners' interactions with the groups. In addition, this comprehensive volume discusses the most prominent representative associations as examples of different types of groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous, Recovery, Inc, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, and the Alzheimer's Association.
List of contents
PART ONE: THE GROUP
Introduction
Helping Characteristics and Change Mechanisms in Self-Help Groups
Ideology, Climate, Structure and Professionalization in Self-Help and Support Groups
PART TWO: THE MEMBER
Beginning Participation
Long-Term Participation
PART THREE: THE PRACTITIONER
Practitioner Roles with Support Groups
Practitioner Relationships with Self-Help Groups
PART FOUR: REPRESENTATIVE GROUPS
Twelve Step Programs
Other Change Oriented Associations: Recovery Inc and Parents Anonymous
Supportive Educational Groups
Telephone and On-Line Self-Help
Summary
Addresses both self-help and support groups, and to provide a distinction between the two. This title dispels misunderstandings and inaccurate assumptions about how they function, whom they attract and how they help participants achieve goals.
